Ching Athletics Complex breaks ground at UH Manoa

The Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on the lower campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has taken a big step towards becoming a reality.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 17, 2012 for the estimated 13 million dollar, three story facility on the mauka side of the UH track. Five million dollars was given to the university by the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, the largest ever donation to University of Hawaiʻi athletics.

“It is still our vision that this dream continue and that we have more examples of public, private partnerships that make this state and this university one of the greatest universities in the United States,” said Jack K. Tsui, chairman of The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation.

“I would like to extend my appreciation and gratitude to the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation for helping to fulfill Mr. Ching’s vision of building on his legacy to enrich communities throughout Hawaiʻi,” said UH Mānoa Chancellor Tom Apple. “Our university is forever grateful to this gift for the future.”

Scheduled to be completed by late 2013, the Ching Athletics Complex will include grandstand seating for 2,500 people and offices and locker rooms for the women’s soccer, cross country, track and field and sand volleyball teams. There will also be a sand volleyball venue with 800 seats and space for future facilities.

Governor Neil Abercrombie, who attended the ceremony, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the Ching Foundation’s generous support of UH athletics.

“I am releasing a million dollars from the CIP generously provided by the legislature to aid and assist the acceleration of the completion of the complex,” said Governor Abercrombie.

The state legislature had already matched the donation by the Ching Foundation and recently added another 3 million dollars to complete the project.

Tsui says the complex is a fitting addition to Clarence Ching’s amazing legacy.

“He was an athlete, boxing champion of Saint Louis School, he loved academics. He was president of his class. He loved the University of Hawaiʻi. He just embodies what the University of Hawaiʻi student should be.”